Education Programs and Funding

A wide variety of organizations offer grants to assist you in obtaining the technology you need. Here you will find information about those grants to help you acquire the technology products that you want and need in your school.

U.S. Grant Information

Hewlett Packard U.S. Grant Programs

HP’s programs support K–12 schools, nonprofit agencies and institutions of higher learning through annual grant initiatives that are launched at the beginning of each November. Through evolving yearly initiatives, HP supports the innovative use of technology in teaching and education, specifically areas such as entrepreneurship and environmental education. Grants are awarded to eligible K–university schools and nonprofit organizations, most often in communities where HP employees live and work. HP does not accept unsolicited grant requests. Instead, grants are awarded through specific initiatives that are aligned with the company’s philanthropy focus areas.

Toshiba America Foundation Grants

The mission of the Toshiba America Foundation is to promote quality science and mathematics education in U.S. schools. Grants are made for programs and activities that improve teaching and learning in K–12 science and mathematics. The foundation focuses its funding on inquiry-based projects designed by teachers for use in their own classrooms. Interested applicants can download application forms from the Toshiba America Foundation website.

Sprint Foundation Grants

The Sprint Foundation supports educational projects that foster school reform through the use of new technologies and fresh approaches to the enhancement of teachers’ skills. The foundation recommends that applicants identify how their projects support the innovation and the use of technology in the classroom, enhanced education for minorities and the disadvantaged and increased employee and public support of education. Because these grants are supported by Sprint’s employee contributions matched by foundation funds, grants are available primarily for projects in areas with a significant Sprint employee presence, such as Kansas City, Atlanta, Dallas and Sacramento. Schools and other education-related non-profit agencies can apply for grants totaling about US$500,000 per year. The Sprint Foundation reviews unsolicited proposals on a continuous basis. Applicants typically receive a response within four to six weeks.

AT&T Foundation Grants

The AT&T Foundation awards grants to education projects that focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning through the effective use of technology, developing workforce skills for the information technology industry, and advancing diversity in education and the workplace, especially in the fields of science, math, engineering and technology. Accredited public and private elementary and secondary schools, two- and four-year higher education institutions and educational nonprofit organizations are eligible for consideration. AT&T Foundation funds are typically distributed through invitational programs or through projects that the Foundation proactively develops with nonprofit organizations. Unsolicited applications are reviewed but rarely supported. Those who wish to submit an unsolicited proposal should include a brief letter of introduction and a description of their organization and project.

Verizon Foundation Grants

The Verizon Foundation supports organizations that address areas of education, literacy, domestic violence prevention or technology for healthcare and healthcare accessibility. Eligible organizations seeking grants from the Verizon Foundation must be prepared to track and report program outcomes and specific results that demonstrate measurable human impact. On the grant application, applicants must indicate what outcomes are targeted through programming and what results they will measure.

Intel Community Grants

Intel has a strong interest in supporting K–12, higher education and community programs that deliver the kind of education opportunities that all students will need to prepare themselves to succeed in the 21st century. Intel supports education through grants for programs that advance science, math and technology education, with a focus on women and underserved populations. Intel is also committed to the responsible use of natural resources, and funding for environmental programs will be considered. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis each quarter. The quarterly submission deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.

NFIE Innovation grants and Learning & Leadership Grants

The National Education Association’s Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE) offers grants of up to US$5,000 each on an ongoing, year-round basis. These grants fund classroom innovations and professional development for improved practice in public K–12 schools and higher education institutions. Each year, NFIE awards as many as 250 Innovation grants worth up to US$5,000, along with 75 Leadership & Learning grants ranging from US$1,000 to US$5,000 in value. These grants fund activities for 12 months from the date they are awarded.

RGK Foundation Grants

The RGK Foundation awards grants in the broad areas of education, community, and medicine or health. The foundation’s primary interests within education include programs that focus on formal K–12 education, particularly in math, science, and reading or literacy. Other interests include after-school tutoring and enrichment, integrating technology into the curriculum, teacher development and higher education. The foundation is particularly interested in programs that attract female and minority students into the fields of mathematics, science and technology. The foundation does not consider unsolicited grant proposals. Instead, applicants are required to submit an electronic letter of inquiry on the foundation’s website. Letters of inquiry are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The foundation will respond to letters by e-mail within three weeks to let applicants know if they should submit a formal proposal.

U.S. Funding Programs

Improving Literacy through School Libraries Program

This program helps libraries improve reading achievement by providing increased access to up-to-date school library materials, well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers and professionally certified school library media specialists. Districts may use funds for purchasing school library media resources, acquiring advanced technology that is integrated into the curriculum to develop and enhance information literacy, and providing professional development and activities for school library media specialists that foster increased collaboration among specialists, teachers and administrators.

No Child Left Behind: Enhancing Education through Technology

This program provides assistance to states and localities for the implementation and support of a comprehensive system that effectively uses technology in elementary and secondary schools to improve student achievement. The program’s goals include helping all students become technologically literate by the end of eighth grade. The program also seeks to help teachers, principals and administrators integrate technology effectively into their curriculum.

Best Buy Children's Foundation

The Best Buy Children’s Foundation supports K–12 technology and youth programs that enhance students’ educational experiences through the innovative use of technology. Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis. The foundation makes grants available through several programs. One funds programs within the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota) metropolitan area. The @15 Community Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations within 50 miles of a retail location. A national partnership program supports programs serving a nationwide audience. All programs must provide innovative, educational access or content to students, or involve technology education for youths. The grants support specific curriculum development or direct project support, and may include product purchases.